The so-called Equality Act (H.R. 5) is moving very quickly through Congress. Despite the bill’s name, the Equality Act would dramatically elevate the rights and privileges of a select few while dealing a devastating blow to parental rights.

H.R. 5 is far-sweeping; it would amend several federal civil rights laws including the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1968 and the Fair Housing Act of 1968 to make sexual orientation and gender identity protected classes equal to immutable and inborn characteristics like race, age, sex and national origin.

The results of this radical legislation will be widespread and disastrous. We need only look to the states or our neighbor to the north with similar laws to predict what we’re in for should the Equality Act become law.

In 16 states now, parents do not have a choice when they seek counseling for their children struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction or gender confusion. In other words, counseling that encourages children to change their gender – even to go through irreversible “genital reconstruction” operations – would be protected by the state. But counseling to help children accept their God-given birth sex would be outlawed. These therapy bans interfere with parents’ right to direct their children’s upbringing and completely disregard family faith or values. What’s worse—the bans were passed with no regard for what type of therapy may actually be best for children long-term.

In Ohio — a state without legislation of this sort — a judge already removed custody from parents of a 17-year-old for their refusal to allow her to undergo life-altering gender transition hormone treatments. This decision came after a two-year custody battle which started with family services alleging parental neglect and abuse for their religiously held beliefs about gender. When the child was placed in temporary custody of family services, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital recommended the 17-year-old undergo hormone therapy at its Transgender Health Clinic, which she did.

This hospital tells first-time patients that their healthcare providers may speak to minors without their parents because “Sometimes young people also have questions that they are afraid to ask in front of their family or guardians.” The clinic also conducts a psychosocial interview to “help understand how the patient and family or guardians are functioning and see if there are any needs.”

It’s not far-fetched to surmise that what they really mean is “see if parents support the gender transition of their young son or daughter, and if not, we’ll take you to court.”

That’s exactly what happened to a Canadian dad earlier this year. In February, the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Canada ruled that a 14-year-old girl would be administered testosterone injections by her doctor against her father’s wishes and consent. Despite a parent’s insistence that his minor daughter should wait until she was older — not a child anymore — to make this life-altering decision, the court said the child had the right to decide for herself. The judge, who ruled on the basis of federal law, blatantly dismissed parental objection to the medical treatment of his minor child.

As if the case couldn’t get any worse, it did. Just last month, the judge declared the father guilty of “family violence” due to his “expressions of rejection of [her] gender identity.” In other words, a dad refused to refer to his daughter as a boy. As a result, he was convicted of a crime against his daughter, given a gag order and ordered not to expose his daughter to any resources which may bring her gender identity or treatment into question.

These cases seem to say everyone other than parents knows best! We believe differently.

We know that parents have a God-given and Constitutionally protected right to direct the upbringing of their children—including their moral values, faith, education and healthcare. We cannot allow misguided legislation to threaten that right!

We believe families should have the right to pursue mental health counseling consistent with their beliefs and religion — be it for depression, anxiety, gender confusion or any other condition.

We believe parents must have the right to prevent their children from accessing experimental puberty-blocking hormones, cross-sex hormones (which can lead to sterilization), and certainly irreversible, life-altering “genital reconstruction” surgery.

MADISON, WI – Today the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, chaired by Sen. Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point), held a public hearing regarding the confirmation of Governor Evers’ nominee Andrea Palm as Secretary of the Department of Health Services (DHS).

As Secretary-designee, Ms. Palm has already hired Nicole Safar as Assistant Deputy Secretary of DHS. Ms. Safar is no stranger to state government as she has been lobbying on behalf of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin for over a decade.

Wisconsin Family Action president Julaine Appling expressed concern about the direction DHS is going under the Evers administration. “DHS’s job according to its website is ‘protecting and promoting the health and safety of the people of Wisconsin.’ Having Ms. Safar in a key leadership role in this agency indicates to me that DHS is going to be much more about special interests and political agendas than about the needs of Wisconsin citizens. Frankly, I share Senator Duey Stroebel’s concern as expressed in the press release he issued today about Ms. Palm and Ms. Safar looking for ways to work around laws in order to direct taxpayer funds to abortion groups such as Planned Parenthood.”

“This move, along with Governor Evers appointing Tanya Atkinson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, to his Health Advisory Board, bodes ominously for unborn children and their mothers. Abortion isn’t health care—for women or their unborn babies. It certainly doesn’t qualify as ‘protecting and promoting the health and safety of the people of Wisconsin.’ As Senator Stroebel pointed out, Wisconsin and its citizens deserve better when it comes to the leadership at DHS.”

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Wisconsin Family Action is a statewide organization engaged in strengthening, preserving and promoting marriage, family, life and liberty in Wisconsin.

The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (S. 311) which would protect infants who are delivered alive after a failed abortion procedure has been scheduled for a vote in the Senate on Monday, February 25.

This Senate action comes several weeks after the New York legislature passed, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signed, the so-called “Reproductive Health Act (RHA).” Among other provisions, the RHA repealed protections for infants born alive during an attempted abortion.

From LifeNews:
“The Senate will cast a vote on [Monday] February 25th to try to break the Democrat filibuster against a bill to stop infanticide.

“…Pro-abortion Senator Patty Murray blocked a vote on a bill from pro-life Republican Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska that would stop infanticide nationwide. And in the House, Democrats have blocked a request by Republicans to vote on a bill that would stop infanticide a total of five times.”

**Contact WI US Senator Ron Johnson (R) and thank him for co-sponsoring this bill. Let him know you are thankful for his leadership and ask him to use his influence to get others to join him in voting in support of this bill. Email Sen. Johnson or call him at (202) 224-5323. **Pray that the Senate passes the Born-Alive Survivors Protection Act on February 25.
**Share this information with other WI friends and encourage them to contact Sen. Johnson and to also pray.
**Support the work of Wisconsin Family Action; we are 100% pro-life, from conception to natural death. We are YOUR voice in the legislature. Click HERE to donate TODAY.

One Wisconsin Now Owes Judge Hagedorn Public Apology for Religious BiasImposing religious test as qualification for public service violates U.S. Constitution

MADISON, WI – In an attempt to discredit Brian Hagedorn, candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, One Wisconsin Now yesterday declared Hagedorn “unfit to hold public office” because he co-founded a Christian school that seeks to follow orthodox Christian beliefs and standards.

“One Wisconsin Now owes Judge Hagedorn an apology for smearing his character and discriminating against him based on his religion,” said Julaine Appling, president of Wisconsin Family Action. “The U.S. Constitution simply doesn’t allow a religious litmus test for public office-holders and blacklisting candidates for public office because of their religious beliefs and associations is profoundly intolerant.

“Imposing a litmus test on individuals running for public office based on their faith is not only unconstitutional, it’s un-American. One Wisconsin Now appears to have taken a page from the playbook of those who have bullied and badgered other judicial candidates in recent months for their religious beliefs, and, most recently, Second Lady Karen Pence for teaching at a Christian school that similarly states its religious beliefs and establishes codes of conduct for employees and students. One Wisconsin Now certainly has a right to hold its own beliefs, but smearing a candidate with different beliefs is the very essence of intolerance. Such attempts should concern all Wisconsinites.”

One Wisconsin Now, bolstered by other activists, asserts that because the Christian school Hagedorn helped to found, and now serves as a board member, holds to an orthodox Christian teaching regarding marriage, Hagedorn is incapable of “fairly and impartially” judging cases.

“A judge’s job is to interpret the law as written, not to legislate or impose personal policy preferences from the bench. Judge Hagedorn should be vetted and reviewed based on his temperament and character as a judge—not on his personal religious beliefs, practices, or associations. For millennia, people of all the Abrahamic faiths and no faith at all have held the belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. Holding that belief, or being associated with institutions that hold that belief, doesn’t mean a judge can’t fairly and impartially interpret and apply the law,” Appling continued. “These tired tactics to discredit judicial candidates because of their faith’s beliefs have failed before, and they will fail again.”

Article VI of the U.S. Constitution clearly states that “no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.”

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Wisconsin Family Action is a statewide organization engaged in strengthening, preserving and promoting marriage, family, life and liberty in Wisconsin.

We learned just hours ago that in the debate over the federal government shutdown, the U.S. House, led by abortion advocate Nancy Pelosi, has passed a spending bill over to the Senate that would give overseas abortion groups access to millions of YOUR taxpayer dollars.Unfortunately, seven Republicans joined with numerous Democrats to move this bill in the House. That means we really can’t just assume all the Republicans in the Senate will vote no on this bill.

You should NEVER be forced to fund abortion groups in America or anywhere in the world.

That’s why I’m asking you to help.

Our friends at the Susan B. Anthony List – one of the leading pro-life groups in America – are launching a campaign to encourage every pro-life U.S. Senator to STRIKE DOWN this bill.

“Merry Christmas” sign and nativity set greet visitors this season

MADISON—Continuing its 23-year tradition, Wisconsin Family Council (WFC), the educational arm of Wisconsin Family Action (WFA), is once again displaying a Merry Christmas sign in the State Capitol Rotunda. The sign wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and reminds visitors of the real reason for the season—that Jesus Christ was born to become mankind’s Savior.

Wisconsin Family Action has placed an accompanying nativity display, a tradition begun several years ago.

“Celebrating Christ’s birth is a Christian celebration, an American holiday and a Wisconsin tradition,” said Julaine Appling, president of WFA and WFC. “It is altogether fitting for us to share the message of Christmas with our fellow Wisconsin citizens through this public display.”

The First Amendment of the US Constitution prohibits government from interfering with religion and guarantees citizens the right to exercise their religion, including celebrating but in the public square as well.

Appling continued, “During the holiday season, people come to our incredible capitol from all across the state and beyond. While here they enjoy the beautiful state Christmas tree, decorated this year with handmade ornaments around the theme of ‘Wisconsin: America’s Dairyland,’ and the gorgeous tree adorning the Governor’s Conference Room. We are honored to add to their enjoyment as we exercise our religious freedom with our display in the rotunda as a silent but powerful witness to the truth of Christmas and to offer hope to all who see it.”

The sign and the nativity will be on display on the First Floor Rotunda from today through December 31, 2017.

Merry Christmas to all!

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Wisconsin Family Action is a statewide, not-for-profit organization actively strengthening,
preserving and promoting marriage, family, life and religious liberty in Wisconsin.

On Tuesday, September 25, 2018, Eau Claire City Council introduced a proposal to ban conversion therapy for minors. The proposal says counseling involving a fee and designed to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender, is not allowed. However, counseling supporting gender transition or same-sex attraction is encouraged. What constitutes a “fee” is not defined. The council will vote on the proposal October 9.

“So Eau Claire is going to be the next city to follow Milwaukee’s bad lead,” states Julaine Appling, WFA president, ” This ban usurps parents’ rights and keeps them from getting help for their children struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction or unwanted gender identity issues. It also trounces on counselors’ religious freedom. This won’t stop in Eau Claire. Citizens need to be aware this proposal will be in their backyard sooner or later.”

What you can do:

Contact your Eau Claire city council members and voice your opinion. CLICK HERE for contact information (phone and email).

Attend the October 9, 2018, City Council meeting and share your thoughts during the public speaking time before the Council members take a vote. The meeting will be held in the Board Room at 721 Oxford Avenue at 4 p.m.

Wisconsin Family Action Releases 2017-2018 Legislative Scorecard9 state legislators earn 100% for their work in most recent session; 15 others have distinguished scores

MADISON, WI – Today, Wisconsin Family Action (WFA) released its 2017-2018 Legislative Scorecard, giving its assessment of how all thirty-three State Senators and all ninety-nine State Assembly Representatives did this past legislative session. The session began in early January 2017 and floor activity concluded in March of this year.

“Within our mission, we work on or at least track quite a variety of bills during a legislative session. It’s important that citizens get an idea of how their elected officials did relative to those proposals,” said Julaine Appling, WFA president.

This past session, two (2) senators and seven (7) representatives earned a 100% score from WFA, meaning on all bills scored, these legislators agreed with WFA’s position.

“Earning a 100% on our scorecard is not easy. We are proud of these state legislators whose body of work during this past session evidences courage and true commitment to conservative principles and ideas. We congratulate these nine on a job very well done,” noted Appling.

“We are also very pleased to recognize the excellent work of those in this group of lawmakers,” Appling commented. “Being an elected official is not easy. It requires tough decisions in pressured situations. We are grateful for those officials who consistently do the right thing.”

This edition of WFA’s Scorecard scores ten bills in the state senate and 11 bills in the state assembly. Details on scoring, WFA’s position, and the bills themselves are available in the Scorecard.

Madison, WI – Today Wisconsin Family Action PAC released an additional round of endorsements for the 2018 fall elections. Additional endorsements will be added in the coming weeks.

State Senate

State Assembly

Rep. Kathy Bernier – SD 23

Joe Sanfelippo – AD 15 (inc.)

Ty Bodden – AD 59

“inc.” = incumbent

Wisconsin Family Action PAC’s endorsement means the candidate has either shown a consistent and solid pro-family, pro-life, pro-religious freedom track record as an office holder or shows great promise of building such a track record if elected.

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Authorized and paid for by Wisconsin Family Action PAC, Leslie Harrison, Treasurer. Not authorized by any candidate or by any candidate’s agent or committee.

Is your candidate truly a reflection of your convictions and vision for America and Wisconsin? iVoterGuide will be your biggest asset and tool that will guide you through the next election, answering every question that is important to you.

Wisconsin’s 2018 Fall Partisan Primary election is Tuesday, August 14—that’s only weeks away! Your guide covers contested races for U.S. Senate, U.S. House districts, state Senate and Assembly districts and the critical gubernatorial race for Wisconsin’s Governor.

Compare candidates’ answers on over 20 survey questions. Look at who has endorsed them. You can see facts on the issues that are the most important to you, like religious liberty, life, immigration, defense, and more.

May we ask a favor? Would you take a moment to share this email with friends, family and neighbors so that they, too, may have this vital information before election day on August 14? Better yet, download, print and share!

JUST IN! Wisconsin Family Action PAC (Political Action Committee) has just released the first round of endorsements for the Fall 2018 Partisan Primary Election on August 14! CLICK HERE to view the endorsements.

Not sure where to vote or who is on your ballot? Click HERE and type in your home address to find out the answers to these questions so you can vote your values! We’ve also created a Voter Q&A resource guide for all of your questions regarding Election Day. Access your Voter Q&A HERE.

REMEMBER to bring a valid form of photo identification. Click HERE to learn what forms of ID are acceptable. If you haven’t already registered to vote, you may also register on the day of the election at the polls.

Wisconsin Family Action also stands ready to help you if you have any questions. We can be reached at 866-849-2536 (toll free) or 608-268-5074 (Madison).

Madison, WI – Wisconsin Family Action PAC has released its first round of endorsements for the 2018 fall elections. More endorsements will be announced in the weeks ahead.

Constitutional offices

US Senate

Scott Walker – Governor

Kevin Nicholson

Rebecca Kleefisch – Lieutenant Governor

Leah Vukmir

US House of Representatives

Adam Steen –Congressional District 1

Jim Sensenbrenner – Congressional District 5 (inc.)

Glenn Grothman – Congressional District 6 (inc.)

State Senate

André Jacque – SD 1

Devin LeMahieu – SD 9 (inc.)

Steve Nass – SD 11 (inc.)

Chris Kapenga – SD 33 (inc.)

State Assembly

Shae Sortwell –AD 2

Michael Schraa – AD 54 (inc.)

Ron Tusler – AD 3 (inc.)

Michael Rohrkaste – AD 55 (inc.)

Rob Hutton – AD 13 (inc.)

Dave Murphy – AD 56 (inc.)

Robin Moore – AD 14

Rick Gundrum – AD 58 (inc.)

Janel Brandtjen – AD 22 (inc.)

Rachel Mixon – AD 59

Dan Knodl – AD 24 (inc.)

Bob Kulp – AD 69 (inc.)

Terry Katsma – AD 26 (inc.)

Romaine Quinn – AD 75 (inc.)

Cody Horlacher – AD 33 (inc.)

Chuck Wichgers – AD 83 (inc.)

Jeremy Thiesfeldt – AD 52 (inc.)

Scott Allen – AD 97 (inc.)

“inc.” = incumbent

Wisconsin Family Action PAC’s endorsement means the candidate has either shown a consistent and solid pro-family, pro-life, pro-religious freedom track record as an office holder or shows great promise of building such a track record if elected.

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Authorized and paid for by Wisconsin Family Action PAC and Wisconsin Family Action Federal PAC, Leslie Harrison, Treasurer. Not authorized by any candidate or by any candidate’s agent or committee.

MADISON—Monday evening President Trump announced that Judge Brett Kavanaugh is his nominee to the US Supreme Court to fill the vacancy of retiring Justice Kennedy. Trump has said regarding this process that his “greatest responsibility is to select a Justice who will faithfully interpret the Constitution as written,” noting that “[j]udges are not supposed to re-write the law, re-invent the Constitution, or substitute their own opinions for the will of the people expressed through their laws.” President Trump believes Judge Kavanaugh, meets those requirements.

“The American people care deeply about strong originalists on the Supreme Court, as evidenced by the 2016 presidential election,” said Julaine Appling, Wisconsin Family Action president. “We appreciate President Trump’s continued transparency and principled process for choosing the next Supreme Court nominee and are hopeful that Judge Kavanaugh will uphold the First Amendment and the original public meaning of the Constitution.”

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Wisconsin Family Action is a statewide, not-for-profit organization actively strengthening, preserving and promoting marriage, family, life and religious liberty in Wisconsin.

MADISON— Late yesterday the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled that the lawsuit brought against Wisconsin’s long-standing Unborn Child Protection Act is moot because the plaintiff moved out of state, making her case null and void.

Wisconsin’s Unborn Child Protection Act became law in 1997 and allows certain state officials and law enforcement agents to help pregnant women who are struggling with substance abuse, which of course helps both the mother and her unborn baby.

“As Wisconsin, like so many other states, faces this opiod crisis and as the number of babies born with drug dependencies increases, to be able to enforce our Unborn Child Protection Act is more important than ever. We are glad for the outcome of this legal challenge and are grateful for Attorney General Brad Schimel’s aggressive defense of this law throughout the legal proceedings. Making sure women and their unborn babies get the help they need is especially critical when dealing with addiction,” said Julaine Appling, president of Wisconsin Family Action.

Wisconsin Family Action is a statewide, not-for-profit organization actively strengthening, preserving and promoting marriage, family, life and religious liberty in Wisconsin.

President Trump has indicated he is willing to redirect Title X “family planning” funds away from organizations that counsel in favor of, refer for or perform abortions—organizations like Planned Parenthood. The money would be redirected to federally qualified medical centers that do not counsel in favor of, refer for or perform abortions. In Wisconsin these medical centers vastly outnumber Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin facilities and are located in urban, suburban and rural areas, while Planned Parenthood has just 20 facilities, with most of them being in the southeastern part of the state and in more urban areas. Since Title X first became available in the 1970s, in The Badger State only Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin has received those funds.

The Department of Health and Human Services is taking comments from the public on these proposed rule changes. Citizens have until July 31, 2018, to comment. Information on posting a comment is below. We urge you to take advantage of this opportunity to promote life and to promote these encouraging rule changes.

Please note this is a 60-day comment period, with comments due by July 31, 2018.

Written comments may be submitted to the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of Population Affairs, as specified below. Any comment that is submitted will also be made available to the public.

Warning: Please do not include any personally identifiable information (such as name, address, or other contact information) or confidential business information that you do not want publicly disclosed. All comments may be posted on the internet and can be retrieved by most internet search engines. No deletions, modifications, or redactions will be made to the comments received. Comments may be submitted anonymously.

Comments, identified by “Family Planning” may be submitted by one of the following methods:

MADISON— Earlier today the United States Supreme Court released its opinion in one of the major cases of this term, the Masterpiece Cakeshop case originating in Colorado, involving owner Jack Phillips who declined to design a cake for a same-sex wedding. The high court ruled 7-2 in favor of Jack and his Masterpiece Cakeshop, overturning the State of Colorado’s decision, which had punished Jack for declining to participate in a wedding that violated his religious beliefs.

Following is a statement from Wisconsin Family Action president Julaine Appling. Wisconsin Family Action (WFA) joined with other like-minded organizations from around the country in filing a friend-of-the-court brief in this case. That brief is available here.

“Today is a victory for the Constitution and for all Americans. We are reminded we still have a justice system in which the First Amendment actually means something significant. This historic decision will no doubt be part of efforts to protect religious freedom in our country for generations to come. In essence, the decision sends a clear message that it is unconstitutional to show hostility towards people of faith in the marketplace because of their religious convictions.

“As Jack said in his statement, ‘[t]oday’s decision makes clear that tolerance is a two-way street. If we want to have freedom for ourselves, we have to extend it to others with whom we disagree,’ especially on important issues such as the meaning of marriage. The government’s hostility directly impacted the shop Jack and his family relied on for their livelihood, including receiving death threats and harassment.

“Since June 26, 2015, when the US Supreme Court forced a redefinition of marriage on Wisconsin and the entire country, we have known such a showdown was coming. Today’s decision is encouraging and we trust precedent setting moving forward.”

More About the Decision

Jack Phillips, the owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop, served all customers including his LGBT neighbors. Jack was before the U.S. Supreme Court simply because he did not want to create a custom cake celebrating a same-sex wedding.

The US Supreme Court found that the Colorado Human Rights Commission treated Jack with incredible hostility. As Justice Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion:

“[The] Commission’s treatment of Phillips’ case…showed elements of a clear and impermissible hostility toward the sincere religious beliefs motivating his objection. As the record shows, some of the commissioners at the Commission’s formal, public hearings endorsed the view that religious beliefs cannot legitimately be carried into the public sphere or commercial domain, disparaged Phillips’ faith as despicable and characterized it as merely rhetorical, and compared his invocation of his sincerely held religious beliefs to defenses of slavery and the Holocaust.”

Thankfully, the U.S. Supreme Court found this hostility unconstitutional. While the decision was made on narrow grounds, it sets the tone for future cases on this issue. The decision also shows the Court is still open to considering whether cake artistry is protected speech.

Certainly this is not the final word in protecting religious freedom. Wisconsin Family Action will continue its work to ensure that Christians and all people of faith are not discriminated against because of their sincerely held religious beliefs.

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Wisconsin Family Action is a statewide, not-for-profit organization actively strengthening, preserving and promoting marriage, family, life and religious liberty in Wisconsin.

Madison, WI – Yesterday, State Representative André Jacque (R-De Pere) won the GOP primary for the Special Election in Senate District 1.

Wisconsin Family Action PAC (WFA PAC) endorsed only Jacque in this race.

“André’s bona fide pro-family, pro-life credentials were difference-makers in this hard-fought primary,” said WFA PAC director Julaine Appling. “Voters have come to know and trust André to do what he says he will do, to stand up for what he believes and to work hard to champion laws that strengthen, preserve and promote marriage, family, life and religious freedom in our state. He’s obviously the kind of senator the people in that senate district want.

“We are proud to have endorsed André and will continue to work hard to ensure he is again victorious in the general election on Tuesday, June 12.”

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Authorized and paid for by Wisconsin Family Action PAC, Leslie Harrison, Treasurer. Not authorized by any candidate or by any candidate’s agent or committee.

Statewide group issues sole endorsement in First Senate District special election

Madison, WI – Wisconsin Family Action PAC (WFA PAC) has endorsed State Representative André Jacque (R-De Pere) for the 1st Senate District in the May 15th Special Election Primary.

Following is a statement from WFA PAC director, Julaine Appling:

“It’s no secret that Rep. Jacque is one of Wisconsin’s most significant pro-life, pro-family champions. That’s why Wisconsin Family Action Political Action Committee (PAC) has endorsed only André Jacque in this special election.

“André Jacque has great passion for his pro-life work. During his time in the Assembly, he has consistently championed the rights of the unborn, as well as stood up for the freedom for all Wisconsin citizens, especially for Wisconsin’s best resource, her families. We are confident that André Jacque as a senator will, in both policy and practice, continue to work to ensure that our families become or remain independent of government and will strengthen and preserve the core values of marriage, family, life and liberty.

“We are proud to endorse André and thank him for running for the 1st Senate District seat. We encourage people in the First Senate District to vote for him in the May 15th Special Election Primary.”

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Authorized and paid for by Wisconsin Family Action PAC, Leslie Harrison, Treasurer. Not authorized by any candidate or by any candidate’s agent or committee.

MADISON— On March 29, 2018, Governor Scott Walker called for a special elections to fill Senator Frank Lasee’s seat (SD 1) after Lasee resigned to take a position in Walker’s administration.

Candidates must be registered by April 17, 2018. According to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, the only two candidates currently registered are Republicans André Jacque and Alex Renard.

From April 3rd to April 5th, Wisconsin Family Action conducted a poll of 770 voters in the May 15th Republican Primary for State Senate District 1. Among those who say they are very likely to vote in the next election, State Rep. André Jacque leads 81% to 19% over businessman Alex Renard. Counting undecideds, Jacque is the choice of 32%, compared to 7% for Renard, with 61% undecided. Even with the large number of undecideds, Renard would have to win over 70% of all undecideds, whereas Jacque would need just 30% of undecideds to break his way.

Among all GOP voters that have decided on a candidate in the May 15th special Republican primary, State Rep. André Jacque leads businessman Alex Renard 80% to 20%. Counting undecideds, Jacque has 27% of the vote, to 7% for Renard, with 67% undecided. Even with the large number of undecideds, Renard would have to win 65.4% of all undecideds, whereas Jacque would need just 34.9% of undecideds to break his way.

Looking ahead to the August Primary for US Senate, Republican voters in the 1st Senate District are starting to pick sides. Kevin Nicholson is in the lead among very likely voters with 29%, followed by Eric Hovde with 26%, followed by Leah Vukmir with 6%. 39% of voters are undecided.

Among all Republican voters, Eric Hovde takes the lead over Nicholson. Eric Hovde, who in 2012 won 5 of the 6 counties in the 1st Senate District with approximately 38% of the vote, has a greater pull with those less likely to vote, bringing him to 29.9%. Kevin Nicholson is in second place with 24%, followed by Leah Vukmir with 5%. 41% of all Republican voters in this senate district are still undecided in the US Senate race.

The poll had a 4% margin of error at a 95% confidence rate.

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Wisconsin Family Action is a statewide, not-for-profit organization actively strengthening,
preserving and promoting marriage, family, life and religious liberty in Wisconsin.

MADISON— “We’re always happy when public funding of abortion is halted,” said Wisconsin Family Action president Julaine Appling, responding to Governor Walker signing Assembly Bill 128 into law yesterday. Wisconsin Family Action actively supported the bill.

Appling joined other supporters of the legislation, along with legislative authors Sen. Dave Craig (R-Big Bend) and Rep. André Jacque (R-De Pere), in the Governor’s office for the signing ceremony.

Assembly Bill 128 prohibits the state from purchasing employee health-insurance plans that cover elective abortions, thereby stopping taxpayers from paying for such this life-taking procedure. (more…)

Strong candidates given pro-family group’s “seal of approval” to take on Tammy Baldwin

Madison, WI – Today, Wisconsin Family Action PAC (WFA PAC) announced its endorsements for the 2018 US Senate race. In keeping with its policy of each candidate seeking WFA PAC endorsement being evaluated strictly on his/her own merits and positions on its core issues, WFA PAC has endorsed two candidates in this race: Leah Vukmir and Kevin Nicholson. WFA PAC director Julaine Appling issued the following statement:

“We are very encouraged that we have strong and committed candidates running for a high-level office. That doesn’t happen often. Leah Vukmir as a long-serving state legislator has been solid on our issues. Kevin Nicholson gives strong evidence for being willing to stand strong for marriage, family, life and religious freedom.

“Tammy Baldwin has for years, from the time she was in the state legislature until now as a US Senator, acted consistently with her liberal, progressive beliefs. She’s pushed for redefining marriage, promoted abortion, and believes religious freedom isn’t for individuals, only for religious institutions. We have a great opportunity to replace Senator Baldwin with a true conservative who will champion our values.

“Sometimes in the course of governing, elected officials are asked to take tough votes. The pro-life issue is a great example. Both Kevin and Leah believe life begins at conception and deserves protection from then until natural death, without exception. However, from time to time a bill that is overall pro-life gets put forward with exceptions for rape, incest and/or life of the mother. When it becomes obvious the bill won’t pass without exceptions, even strong pro-life legislators will vote for the bill because on the whole the proposal will save babies and advance the pro-life cause.

“WFA PAC is pleased we have fine candidates willing to take on such tough votes and Tammy Baldwin. Wisconsin will be well served by either Leah Vukmir or Kevin Nicholson. We need the best we have to ensure that Tammy Baldwin and her liberal, destructive ideas are finished in Washington.”

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Authorized and paid for by Wisconsin Family Action Federal PAC, Leslie Harrison, Treasurer. C000506089 Not authorized by any candidate or by any candidate’s agent or committee.

Today the U.S. Senate Will Vote on S. 2311, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

Call Senator Ron Johnson at 202-224-5323 and Senator Tammy Baldwin at 202-224-5653 to ask them to support S. 2311. We must protect unborn babies from painful, late-term abortions.

This bill will protect the lives of the unborn, especially when substantial medical evidence indicates that the child is capable of feeling pain during an abortion procedure. By 20 weeks gestation, an unborn child has pain receptors all over his or her body.

As Congressman Chris Smith said, “Abortionists all over America decapitate, dismember, and chemically poison babies each and every day.” He called this bill a “modest but necessary attempt to at least protect babies who are 20 weeks old.”

CALL NOW! Vote is said to be scheduled for approximately 4:30 p.m. CST.

MADISON— “Helping Wisconsin’s families by giving some of their hard-earned money back to them in the form of this credit is a great idea. It’s responsible leadership. The legislature needs to get behind this and get it done yet this session,” said Wisconsin Family Action president Julaine Appling.

In yesterday’s State-of-the-State speech, Governor Scott Walker announced that he plans to give parents a $100 per child, per year tax credit, an initiative that this year would cost $122 million. This year the credit would be available to parents via a rebate and in subsequent years would be part of their annual income tax filing. Funds to pay for this years credit would be from the revenue surplus, which recently was projected to be more than the Department of Revenue had originally forecasted.

Governor Walker says he wants this year’s credit to reach parents before the beginning of school this fall. For this year, parents with children who were under 18 as of December 31, 2017, qualify for the credit. There is no income restriction.

Appling, noted, “Families with children are the backbone of our state. When dads and moms can get real cash in their pocket to help offset expenses related to child-rearing, that is directly helping to strengthen our best natural resource. Whether parents use this credit for school supplies or clothing or to help pay for music lessons or playing a sport or whatever the need or want may be, this is a good use of surplus revenue. Families can do much more with $100 per child than the state can. No contest there, for sure,” Appling noted.

“We would note, however, that even better than a tax credit would be for the state to do better budgeting. What we ultimately need is to let families keep more of their money in the first place. Let’s get Wisconsin out of being a high-taxed state. I’m pretty sure that would give families a lot more than $100 per child.

“Governor Walker is working hard to help Wisconsin families, and we applaud this pro-family proposal. Further, we urge the state legislature to make it a priority in the closing weeks of the session. If there’s anything elected officials should be able to agree on, it’s helping families help their children.” concluded Appling.

The current legislative session will be over no later than mid-March and could be done sooner.

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Wisconsin Family Action is a statewide, not-for-profit organization actively strengthening,
preserving and promoting marriage, family, life and religious liberty in Wisconsin.

Though cosponsored by nearly a third of the Wisconsin Legislature, the Heal Without Harm Initiative – a set of bills that would ensure fetal tissue research in Wisconsin continues without controversy – lingers in committee without action. The Fetal Remains Respect Act (SB 423/AB 549) and the Unborn Child Disposition and Anatomical Gift Act (SB 424/AB 550), authored by Sen. Terry Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls) and Rep. Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc), would ban the sale and use of body parts from aborted babies and inform parents about the ability to donate their miscarried or stillborn child’s tissue.

Initial introduction of the Senate bills was delayed by legislative leaders for months. Even though the bills received a hearing before the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety in early November, Committee Chair Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) has yet to hold a vote on the bills. Senator Wanggaard’s office has indicated that the Chair will not schedule a committee vote until a majority of Senators consent to vote for the bill on the Senate floor. (more…)

The Heal Without Harm (HWH) Legislative Initiative – SB 423/AB 549 and SB 424/AB 550 (Sen. Terry Moulton, R-Chippewa Falls, and Rep. Joel Kleefisch, R-Oconomowoc) – would ban the sale and use of the body parts of aborted babies and instead encourage the donation of tissue for research from children who are stillborn or miscarried.

Currently, SB 423 and SB 424 have received public hearings, but Senate Judiciary and Public Safety committee Chair Senator Van Wanggaard has indicated he will not advance the bills out of committee unless Senators make their support for these bills known. However, Chair Wanggaard has advanced numerous bills through his committee with fewer Senate co-sponsors and with far less Senator support at the public hearing.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgeraldsupports this highly unusual delay in getting these bills out of committee. However, there are no Senate rules requiring bills to have sufficient floor votes in order to be voted out of committee; and many bills advance out of committee without prior knowledge of who will vote in favor of or against them on the floor.

The public has a right to know what committee members think about the Heal Without Harm Initiative.

Please:

Call Senator Fitzgerald at 608-266-5660 and urge that a committee vote on SB 423 and SB 424 be held ASAP.

Call Senator Wanggaard at 608-266-1832 and urge him to hold a committee vote on SB 423 and SB 424 ASAP.

The Senate will convene on January 23 for one of the last times this session. Tell Senators Fitzgerald and Wanggaard to support the democratic process and hold an executive session on these bills now! Committee action now means the Senate could vote on these bills on January 23!

Questions? Take some time to visit the HWH Q&A to learn more about this critical issue.Thank you for standing with us for life!

The Senate Education Committee recently held a public hearing on two bills regarding federal- and state-mandated standardized tests in public, charter, opportunity and choice schools. Senate Bill 222 requires school districts to consolidate and publicize information about each test, including grades administered in, reason for the test, and what the district will do with the results. Senate Bill 234 makes it clear that no matter the grade-level where a state or federal standardized test is given, parents can opt their children out of these tests.

Senator Duey Stroebel (R-Saukville) and Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac) are the lead authors on the bills. They believe parents are responsible for the education of their children and that schools should take reasonable actions to help them in making wise educational decisions. Both of these common-sense, parent-focused bills have already passed in the state assembly; they just need a senate vote.

Call your state senator today and ask them to support Senate Bills 222 and 234.
Find your legislator HERE. (Simply enter your address into the search box in the upper right-hand corner.)

MADISON—Each year for the past 22 years, Wisconsin Family Council (WFC), the educational arm of Wisconsin Family Action (WFA), has displayed a Merry Christmas sign in the State Capitol Rotunda. The sign not only wishes everyone a Merry Christmas, but reminds viewers of the real reason for the season—Jesus Christ, mankind’s Savior.

Today Wisconsin Family Council once again put up the sign in the capitol while Wisconsin Family Action placed an accompanying nativity display.

“Celebrating Christ’s birth is a Christian celebration, an American holiday and a Wisconsin tradition,” said Julaine Appling, president of WFA and WFC. “The Germans who played such an important role in settling our state brought this great tradition with them.”

The First Amendment to the US Constitution prohibits government from interfering with religion and guarantees citizens the right to exercise their religion, including celebrating Christmas, both in the privacy of their homes and in the public square.

Appling continued, “Thousands of visitors come to our beautiful state capitol during the holiday season to enjoy the gorgeous state Christmas tree with all the handmade ornaments. We are honored to be able to exercise our religious freedom and have our display in the rotunda as a silent but powerful witness to the truth of Christmas and to offer hope to all those who see it.”

The sign and the nativity will be on display on the First Floor Rotunda from today through December 31, 2017.

Merry Christmas to all!

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Wisconsin Family Action is a statewide, not-for-profit organization actively strengthening,
preserving and promoting marriage, family, life and religious liberty in Wisconsin.

The Heal Without Harm (HWH) Legislative Initiative – SB 423/AB 549 and SB 424/AB 550 (Sen. Terry Moulton, R-Chippewa Falls and Rep. Joel Kleefisch, R-Oconomowoc) – would ban the sale and use of aborted fetal body parts and instead encourage the donation of tissue from children who are stillborn or miscarried for use in research.

Currently, SB 423 and SB 424 have received public hearings, but Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee Chair Van Wanggaard has indicated he will not advance the bills out of committee unless Senators make their support for these bills known. AB 550 has received a public hearing and will be voted out of committee thanks to the quick action of Assembly Health Committee Chair Joe Sanfelipppo. AB 549 has been separated from AB 550 and was sent to the Assembly Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee chaired by Representative John Spiros and has yet to receive a public hearing.

Please call your State Senator ASAP and urge him/her to do the following:
Support SB 423 and SB 424 and make that support known by contacting Sen. Van Wanggaard.
Ask Sen. Waggaard to hold an executive session on SB 423 and SB 424 and vote to advance these bills out of committee ASAP.

Please call your State Representative ASAP and urge him/her to do the following:
Ask Rep. John Spiros to hold a public hearing and executive session on AB 549 ASAP.

Don’t know your State Senator and State Representative? Go to legis.wisconsin.gov and type in your home address under “Find My Legislators” or call the Legislative Hotline: 1-800-362-9472. After you call your Senator, contact the HWH Coalition with any feedback you received.

Questions? Take some time to visit our HWH Q&A to learn more about this critical issue.

WHAT: De Pere Common Council MeetingWHEN: Tuesday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m.WHERE: City Hall, Council Chambers, 335 S. Broadway, De Pere, WI

HERE’S THE “WHY”: Your De Pere Common Council will be voting on Tuesday, November 7, on an ordinance they declare is “anti-discriminatory” in nature. The ordinance prohibits discrimination in housing, employment and places of public accommodation against some 20-odd groups of protected classes of citizens. Included among those classes is “gender identity/gender expression.”
Do you think private businesses in De Pere should be forced to allow men in the women’s restrooms or changing rooms? Should churches or religious organizations that encourage the public to attend their services be forced to allow men in the women’s restrooms or changing rooms or vice versa?

The City of De Pere proposed ordinance was recently introduced by Alderperson Casey Nelson, who just this past April was elected to the Common Council. The earliest reference we can find to this policy is in the minutes from the September 12, 2017 Finance/Personnel Committee meeting.

The Board of Health passed the proposed ordinance on Monday, October 23. Alderman Nelson and Alderman Ryan Jennings are on the Board of Health. Now the full Common Council will consider the ordinance for a vote on Tuesday, November 7. The public will be given an opportunity to express their opinion on this proposed policy/ordinance.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1)Call your common council member, the mayor and all of the members of the council expressing your concern and opinion. Click HEREto access contact information for the De Pere mayor and Common Council members.
2) Share this information with other residents of De Pere. Encourage them to contact their council member and also attend the meeting on Tuesday, November 7.
3) Make sure your pastor and ministry leaders know about the meeting on Tuesday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall in the Council Chambers, 335 S. Broadway, De Pere.
4) Pray! Pray that God will change hearts and minds of the decision makers the good people of De Pere have elected to the Common Council.

For more information on how this ordinance could impact local businesses, religious ministries, etc., clickHERE.

Your help is needed NOW! Efforts are underway to end the trafficking and use of aborted unborn children in Wisconsin. The Heal Without Harm (HWH) Legislative Initiative – Senate Bill 423 and Senate Bill 424, both authored by Sen. Terry Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls), would ban the trade and use of aborted fetal body parts and instead encourage the ethical donation of tissue from children who are stillborn or miscarried.

Neither bill has received a public hearing, and time is running short. If the bills do not receive a public hearing and pass out of the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee before November 3rd,they will not become law this session.(more…)